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Adversity to Equality: The Journey of the African American Mounted Soldier:
"Once let the black man get upon his person the brass letters, US, let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pockets, and there is no power on earth which can deny that he had earned the right to citizenship in the United States."
-- Frederick Douglass
The Civil War marked the first effort to recruit African Americans into the US Army on a large scale, train them, and employ them in a variety of combat and support roles. The Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863 declared, "that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons... And I further declare and make known, that such persons of suitable condition, will be received into the armed service of the United States to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said service."
African Americans have a proud tradition of service to the United States that includes 86 Medals of Honor. This is their story of military accomplishment and sacrifice. |